CHINESE PROPOSAL

Kavre, November 17

China’s proposal to set up a joint customs office at Panchkhal of Kavre and supply cooking gas bullets directly to Panchkhal area has elated local folks.

Rajna Karki from Panchkhal said the proposal for establishing joint customs office and direct supply of gas bullets had made them very happy. “I believe that customs office at Panchkhal will boost economic activity,” Karki said.

The Chinese government had put forward the proposal through Nepal’s ambassador to China Mahesh Maskey. Nepal government is yet to make public its official view on the proposal. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai had proposed this to Maskey at a meeting last Sunday.

Locals in Panchkhal asked the government to agree to the Chinese proposal and begin work on it. Local Santosh Baniya said that they were happy due to China’s proposal. Nepal government had declared Panchkhal a special economic zone two years ago. Though a discussion was held between Nepal and China to construct a dry port in Panchkhal three years ago, its construction had started at the place near Sindhupalchowk’s Liping area.

Kanchan Adhikary expressed belief that this time around the joint customs would be set up at Panchkhal.

Four hundred vans and containers stranded at Khasa after the deadly earthquake of April 25 devastated Tatopani Custom Office were parked at Panchkhal when Kathmandu-based Airport Customs Office cleared the customs on the stranded vehicles three months after the quake.

Following a request from the Nepali side, the Chinese made a field observation of the road from Barhabise to Tatopani and Khasa bazaar. The inspection team will report to the Chinese government about opening the Tatopani Customs point.